Riding a bike on sidewalks and through crosswalks is against the law, says a traffic officer with the Thunder Bay Police Service.
Reacting to a trio of recent high-profile collisions between cyclists and vehicles, the most recent coming last Saturday at the intersection of Memorial and Central avenues, TBPS traffic Const. John Whitehurst on Tuesday said he wants to remind cyclists they are subject to the same rules of the road as motorists.
“A bicycle is defined as a vehicle under the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario and does require you follow the rules of all motorists,” Whitehurst said, reacting to a release put out by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit preaching the unsafe nature of sidewalk cycling.
“You shall ride on the roadways and practice your hand signals and all safe things required under the bicycle guidelines of lights at night, visible clothing and stopping for stop signs – and all the traffic control that a vehicle driver is required to perform.”
Whitehurst said the recent collisions have shined a giant spotlight on the issue, particularly cyclists who insist on driving through cross walks.
It’s an offense punishable by a $110 fine, and it’s not the only penalty in play.
“Riding along a sidewalk in the middle of a block, or anywhere else, is covered by our city bylaw and there is a $125 fine for that offense,” Whitehurst said.
The bylaw covers any bicycle with a wheel diameter of 43 centimetres or more.
While it isn’t a priority for police at this time, Whitehurst said cyclists will be charged if they’re caught in the act.
“Police officers enforce the Highway Traffic Act and city bylaws routinely in the course of their duties. If a cyclist is involved in a collision related to them violating the bylaw of riding along a sidewalk or through a crosswalk at an intersection, they will be cited for that offence,” he said.
Public health nurse Marita Campbell said the Thunder Bay District Health Unit decided to weigh in on the issue once it became apparent some bicyclists aren’t getting the message.
According to city-supplied figures, sidewalk cycling was a factor in 68 per cent of all collisions involving bicycles and motorists between 2008 and 2011.
Last year that number rose to 74 per cent.
“Many cyclists believe they are safer on the sidewalk … and it’s just not so,” Campbell said. “Motorists aren’t expecting them to be there. They’re not looking for them when they’re turning into intersections. It’s just an unsafe place for cyclists to be.”
While drivers do have to keep an eye out for pedestrians, Campbell noted they aren’t travelling at high speeds.
“Cyclists are coming through the roadway at a higher rate of speed. Motorists may be looking for someone who is getting ready to cross the street, but they’re not expecting a cyclist coming at 10 to 30 kilometres-an-hour down the sidewalk,” she said.
Though some cyclists do continue to use sidewalks as their transportation route, the city’s Active Transportation co-ordinator says the arrival of bike lanes on some city streets is having the desired effect. Since their arrival the offence has dropped 33.5 per cent on streets with bike lanes, Krupper says, encouraging riders to think of an alternative plan.
"If cyclists want to feel safer and more confident when riding they need to work on their cycling skills," Krupper said in a release.
The city offers several safe cycling programs at various times of the year.
